Poultry bedding

Abstract

There is provided a composition suitable for use as poultry bedding based on wood shavings and sphagnum. The flow-flowing characteristic of the composition renders it very easy to apply and distribute on the floor of the stall. Moreover, the composition is easy to turn around and mix for the farmer. The composition exhibits effective absorption of ammonia for a complete production cycle for commercial poultry operations. A major effect of using the present composition is that foot burns and feet blisters of poultry observed with conventional bedding can essentially be avoided.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This present invention relates to an improved product for use as poultry bedding based on wood shavings and sphagnum. By using the composition foot burns of poultry observed with conventional bedding can essentially be avoided.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Wood shavings, sawdust, hulls, straw and a combination of these materials are widely used as poultry bedding. When used as bedding for poultry, these materials must serve two needs: absorbing moisture from the poultry droppings, and minimizing the release of gaseous ammonia.[0003]Also blisters on the breasts of poultry may appear as poultry rub their breasts on the bedding as they stand from lying down positions. The wet bedding then promotes infection, thus down grading poultry final products. Existing bedding may also cause respiratory problems in poultry, which also down grade the quality of poultry final products.[0004]Further, levels of ammonia in the barn increase as the grow progresses, to the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a composition that can be used for preventing and treating foot burns and blisters on poultry. The composition is made of wood shavings and sphagnum moss mixed in a certain ratio and is easy to apply on the floor. When used properly, it can almost completely prevent foot burns. The composition can be mixed with other materials and is therapeutically effective.

Problems solved by technology

Also blisters on the breasts of poultry may appear as poultry rub their breasts on the bedding as they stand from lying down positions.

Existing bedding may also cause respiratory problems in poultry, which also down grade the quality of poultry final products.

Further, levels of ammonia in the barn increase as the grow progresses, to the point of burning eyes and throat of anyone entering barn.

Such high levels of ammonia cause blindness in poultry, which limits mobility to feeders and inhibits growth.

Also, these high levels of ammonia affect the overall health of poultry and promotes lung disease.

Such an environment with high humidity and high ammonia levels affects overall health of poultry and increases the mortality rates in poultry.

However, they are additives to existing bedding.

The other disadvantages of existing bedding still remain.

In particular, the additives deal only with ammonia and do not provide a remedy for the moisture related problems.

Also, those additives usually last only for a few weeks.

However, they are not suitable for use as bedding for poultry.

However, they have a tendency to compact, reducing their capacity to release moisture and increasing the formation and release of ammonia gas.

However, the stirring itself releases substantial amounts of ammonia, requiring increased air circulation through the poultry enclosure.

In cold weather, the air must be heated, further increasing the production cost.

Of course, the stirring operation itself is an added cost of labor.

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